Initial planning for Universal - first time since before the millenium

[matt_in_nh]

So our family have been WDW crazy for a while but my kids are kind of done at this point, there is not much new for us even though things are always changing to a point. However, they have never been to Universal other than a few hours for a school trip, I have not been there since the 90's and my wife has never been. So I am kicking around the idea of a couple days at Universal next Feb....so far in the research I have done I have found that the express pass provided by staying at a premier hotel seems like a great bargain. The hotel rooms are obviously more pricy as a result and while we can fit in one room, at this point it is a bit tight for one room, two adults and two teenagers. We are also credit card churners so we have lots of points at Marriott/IHG/Chase/Capital one to work with. Here is what I was thinking, but want others feedback on if this is a bad plan, it involved a double split stay. I also think we will be good with 2 park days even if we dont do everything.

• Arriving in Orlando and staying at an offsite hotel (with separate rooms on points) one night prior to Universal.
• One night at a premier hotel which gives us unlimited express day of check in and check out. Those would be our park days
  • One question I have is I read you have to check in to get your express pass at 7AM, do I have to physically go to the hotel or can that be done online?
• Back to an off-site hotel (Again, separate rooms on points) to have a couple resort days/DS/City Walk
• Would rent a car to help with the split stay maneuvering.

Alternatively I would consider two nights at a premier hotel with a resort day in between.

Sorry for the novice questions, I know there is a lot out there to read up on.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

You must physically go to the Premier hotel & check in to get your room cards which are also your Express Passes.

 

[matt_in_nh]

You must physically go to the Premier hotel & check in to get your room cards which are also your Express Passes.

Ha! And I bet it’s a crap show with people lined up to do that?

 

[georgina]

Ha! And I bet it’s a crap show with people lined up to do that?

Not that I have seen. Have you considered a 'throw-away' room at a premier resort, keeping your offsite rooms so you don't have to move all your stuff?

 

[matt_in_nh]

Not that I have seen. Have you considered a 'throw-away' room at a premier resort, keeping your offsite rooms so you don't have to move all your stuff?

I did think about that. People do that and it works out ok?

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Folks do throw away rooms for express passes all the time with no issue . Even if you don't want to stay overnight, you can always use it for a mid day break if any of your party wants to.

We've only done it once but there was actually no one in line when we checked in at Portofino at about 7:30 a.m.

 

[georgina]

I did think about that. People do that and it works out ok?

It's up to you really if you want to pack some stuff and stay overnight, would be easier logistically. And you would only pay for parking once at the resort vs 2 days at the Universal garage. Checking in and out of a hotel 2 days in a row can be a drag. I guess it depends on how much your off site room is costing you in points.

 

[jenniferahardin87]

So our family have been WDW crazy for a while but my kids are kind of done at this point, there is not much new for us even though things are always changing to a point. However, they have never been to Universal other than a few hours for a school trip, I have not been there since the 90's and my wife has never been. So I am kicking around the idea of a couple days at Universal next Feb....so far in the research I have done I have found that the express pass provided by staying at a premier hotel seems like a great bargain. The hotel rooms are obviously more pricy as a result and while we can fit in one room, at this point it is a bit tight for one room, two adults and two teenagers. We are also credit card churners so we have lots of points at Marriott/IHG/Chase/Capital one to work with. Here is what I was thinking, but want others feedback on if this is a bad plan, it involved a double split stay. I also think we will be good with 2 park days even if we dont do everything.

• Arriving in Orlando and staying at an offsite hotel (with separate rooms on points) one night prior to Universal.
• One night at a premier hotel which gives us unlimited express day of check in and check out. Those would be our park days
  • One question I have is I read you have to check in to get your express pass at 7AM, do I have to physically go to the hotel or can that be done online?
• Back to an off-site hotel (Again, separate rooms on points) to have a couple resort days/DS/City Walk
• Would rent a car to help with the split stay maneuvering.

Alternatively I would consider two nights at a premier hotel with a resort day in between.

Sorry for the novice questions, I know there is a lot out there to read up on.

have you considered skipping the offsite and instead switching to a non premier hotel still on universal property?

i know it’s be a little more expensive to not use points on 2 nights but it really is cool to experience staying in the universal bubble and being able to use boats etc to get everywhere and not have to drive.

i believe they’ll also transport your luggage from or to premier hotels for you but even if not it’s easy for one person to uber to new hotel in morning, grab the express passes/hotel keys and leave the luggage with luggage services while the rest of the party is still getting ready

 

[skramer100]

As others have said, book a throw away room. We often stay at the Hilton across the street our first night and check in at 7AM for our stay. Rarely crowded. The pools are very nice at the premiere hotels and with express pass you can blow through a park in half a day, get some pool time and relax then hit up the other park at night. 2 days with Express pass is more than enough to get everything done.

 

[Skywalker3]

We've frequently stayed offsite the night before our Universal checkin, and several times, have shown up for the 7AM (or earlier) check in. Usually no wait at all, or very, very little.
Not sure where you're driving from the first night, but allow that extra time to park, get checked in, get stuff, etc. if you're planning early entry. Last checkin they had an issue printing our cards, not a big issue, maybe added 5 mins, but still , extra time. As others pointed out, your room key is your express pass.
Last few trips, we were splitting Universal with our WDW stay, maybe about a 25-40 min drive, but first thing in the morning, drive shouldn't be bad at all. We got from BWV to Universal very quickly.
We're doing this again in October. Rest of trip booked at BWV, driving over to Universal for 1 night premier, and HHN.
Happy planning, LOTS of great info on these Universal threads here!

 

[disneyseniors]

I did think about that. People do that and it works out ok?

Just my 2 cents worth: I don't agree with people booking throwaway rooms. There are people who would like to actually stay in those rooms and can't because of this practice. I know, I know that this is not a popular remark, so please don't flame me. It is something that is done and apparently the hotels don't care, so why should I? I just don't agree with it.
As far as checkin at the resort. We have done this several times and have Never had to wait behind anyone, let alone a big line. I think you are thinking in terms of WDW, and Universal resort hotels are in a different class. I think your family will love Universal, especially since you have teenagers.
Hope this helps.

 

[Genie+]

Something that never came natural to me was spending more money than necessary. I guess growing up without much money gave me a high tolerance to make do that it became a preference. I’ve come around and started seeing more value of a splurge, especially where growing kids and first time experiences are concerned.

So looking at this scenario I see staying 2 nights at the premier hotel as best option. Sure the other plan is fine, but for the difference in the price (night 2 offsite vs onsite) you’ll have a smoother stay and more opportunity for your family to get the full UO deluxe experience. Juggling rooms opens up more chance at distractions and hiccups.

Getting older has really made me appreciate making the most of the shot we have. Add in that kids grow fast and you have a choice to put the extra WOW in now - go for it and don’t look back! You’re not going to regret a few hundred dollars 10 years from now when you’re all reminiscing about your first family trip to UO and what an amazing trip it was. There’s no guarantee it will be better, there’s just the guarantee you’ll never know without the attempt.

Could those hotel points be put to good use elsewhere? If not, that’s one of the only reasons I’d go that path here.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Alternatively I would consider two nights at a premier hotel with a resort day in between.

If you can afford two nights at a premier hotel, I would spend the money on that instead of a rental car. It gives you more time in the parks or for doing fun things on the trip instead of spending the time unpacking and packing as well as checking into hotels.

 

[Genie+]

Also look at buying one AP. Sometimes that’s cheaper due to the room discount access (and maybe ticket discounts too?).

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Eh, I don't mind split stays. The $10 Uber & $2 for baggage holding tip is more than offset by not paying for the premier hotel a second night. The inconvenience of moving is worth $200 savings.

If I book a premier night, we use the room, it's not a throwaway - but with AP rates the cost for the other non-premier nights isn't any higher because the stay is short. Sometimes it would literally cost someone more to check out in the middle of a weeklong stay since that would break the other hotel into 2 separate stays, so they may have a day that one room or the other is vacant. Often they may bring an overnight bag & use the premier, and just leave the majority of their stuff at the other hotel (it's much nicer strolling into the parks from your premier room than driving in from off-site).

If someone books a suite for 1 or 2 people, is that also taking the room away from someone who could use it? Hotel rooms are a commodity. The early bird gets the worm.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I would also skip the rental unless you plan on several offsite activities. Much cheaper to Uber those few times you need to, than to pay to rent, pay to park, pay for tolls/gas. Figure $50 to/from the airport (for an XL) and $10-20 for hotel changes & such.

 

[CynBeth]

I would also just stay at the Universal hotel the entire trip.